In just her third term, Bachmann (left) has developed a fan base like Sarah Palin’s. | AP Photos
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Freshman Rep. Joe Walsh, a tea party favorite in Illinois, isn’t backing down from his judgment that Bachmann miscalculated, even though he’s gotten some angry calls from her backers.

“She was out of line. She had no business stepping on the official Republican response to the State of the Union,” Walsh said in an interview with POLITICO. “I can say that to you saying I’m a fan of Michele Bachmann’s. She and I think the same on virtually probably every darn issue.”

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But he said he understands why some other lawmakers may be less willing to go on the record with their gripes.

“She’s got a huge movement. She’s got a huge following,” he said. “I am sure that many politicians and elected officials do not what to upset that huge movement and that huge following.

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) — who has a long conservative voting record — said he learned the power of Palin’s following the hard way after suggesting she stay out of Georgia’s Republican gubernatorial primary on a radio show.

“There was a firestorm in the office for about 24 hours,” he said, with people “questioning my Republican conservative credentials” in phone calls. “To Sarah Palin’s credit, you have a national network of very energized fans.”

Friends and critics alike say Bachmann’s trending toward Palinesque status in terms of her ability to generate attention and build a following. She raised more than $13 million for her last re-election campaign, roughly tripling an opponent whose $4.2 million haul would typically be considered prolific.

For any Republican who fears a primary challenge — or would like help for a general election — there’s no percentage in getting on the wrong side of Palin or Bachmann.

“The base loves them and if you want the base to love you, you have to love them,” said Republican strategist John Feehery, a former House GOP leadership aide. “If you don’t care about the base, then you can say whatever you want.”

But the reality is most Republicans do care about the base — and fear the consequences of crossing their stars.

WHAT'S FUNNY IS HER REPUBLICAN COLLEGUES AREN'T AS AFRAID OF THEM AS THE DEMORATS ARE. MSNBC IS TERRIFIED. TELL THE TRUTH TO AMERICA AND FEEL THE RATH FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT. THEY'VE LOST CONTROL OF THE MESSAGE AND THEY ARE LOSING THEIR COLLECTIVE MINDS AS A RESULT! YeeeeeeHaaaaa

Does one have to be a psycho to be a woman torch bearer for the republican party..Where do republicans get these women..I mean pleeez..Cant republicans get at least one normal woman who is not psycho or damn? One sees things that are not hear or there like the sky is falling..The other is so damn tha she cant even string two coherent sentences togather..Wow i feel for republican women..Where is their Hillary

Those of us on the left would love to see both of these women running in 2012. Every time one of them opens her mouth, Obama looks like an absolute genius. When was the last time a half governor won the presidency? Also, when was the last time a representative won the presidency?

It's going to be more fun than a barrel of monkeys...but not nearly the IQ of a barrel of monkeys.

Bachmann's address was simply a complimentary appearance and parroted Paul Ryan's remarks. They are on the same wave length and the truth is what we as citizens want to hear and the more voices we have spreading the message of truth the better. We sure can't depend on the "establishment" media to do the job of reporting. Both Bachmann and Palin have more courage in their small toe than all those on the left together. They serve to be an inspiration to all women and that frightens the left beyond measure.